China expands health insurance coverage with 91 new drugs, breakthrough treatments

China has added dozens of new drugs to its health insurance reimbursement list, signalling support for innovative treatments while keeping a tight control on spending.

The National Healthcare Security Administration on Thursday pre-approved 91 medicines, taking the total to 3,159. Meanwhile, 43 drugs that have with better alternatives or that are no longer manufactured were ejected.

The additions comprise 26 anti-tumour drugs, 15 for treating diabetes and other chronic diseases, 13 rare disease drugs, seven anti-infection medications, 11 traditional Chinese medicine products, four psychiatric drugs and 15 other drugs, according to investment bank Jefferies.

The average price reduction of the newly qualified drugs is 63 per cent, compared with 62 per cent in last year’s negotiations with drug makers. This is likely to save the government about 50 billion yuan (US$6.9 billion) in public health expenditure next year.

02:17

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